I am not the little black girl who was raised by a single mom.

I am not that girl with the miniskirts and booty shorts trying to make up for the loss of daddy’s affection.

I did not grow up not knowing where my next meal would come from, nor did I grow up wondering what new man my momma would bring home each night.

That’s not my story,

I am not the girl crying in the bathroom because of teenage girl’s ruthlessness.

I am not the girl staring in the mirror wishing something would change.

I did not lose my virginity in the basement at a house party because I thought I was grown, nor did I abort my baby because there was no way I could go home.

That’s not my story

I am not the high school dropout standing on the corner praying for relief from the cold.

I am not the single mother working nights sliding down multiple poles.

I did not use drugs as a momentary distraction from my reality, nor did I contract an incurable disease from the needles that penetrated me.

That’s not my story

I am not the 30 year old lying on her death bed

I am not the sinner repenting and begging God for his forgiveness

I did not kneel before the cross and confess my sins, nor did I try and call my family to make amends.

That’s not my story

I am the brilliant young girl loved by a beautiful black queen

I am that girl in the front of the class listening to her daddy teach

I can wake up with breakfast laid out for me, knowing momma is a great cook and she does it all for me.

This is my story

I am the girl comforting her friend in the bathroom, reassuring her that words only hurt for so long.

I am the girl staring at herself in the mirror admiring Gods work.

I can go to a party and enjoy myself knowing what my body is worth.

This is my story

I am the college graduate walking into her first interview.

I am the professional thanking God I made it through.

I can go home and watch the news, knowing I am blessed that those stories are not my truths.

This is my story

I am the women celebrating her 30th birthday with an engagement party

I am the wife thanking God for sending a man worthy of my time and affection.

I can kneel before the cross and confess my sins, knowing that I am a child of God now until the end.